Grade One Champion Novice Chase Guide

It’s the head to head that punters have all been waiting for as the top two novices clash in the Champion Novice Chase.

Monkfish remains unbeaten over fences, so it’s no surprise to see him at the head of the market and he comes here boasting a seven race win streak, four of which have been in Grade One company (3 G1 chases, 1 G1 hurdles). 

It must be noted that he was far from his best last time out at Cheltenham and was sure to have made the 1/4 favourite backers sweat as he failed to jump nor gallop with the same flair as what we’ve become accustomed to.

A riderless horse and a stumble at the last will of also provided a heart in mouth moment for supporters, however the runner overcame all obstacles and recorded an eventual 6 1/2 length victory to seal the deal.

There’s strong suspicions that the best is still yet to come from this seven-year-old who is continuously improving and the face off against a high quality rival is expected to bring the best out of him.

He will need to put that last run behind him however as another lackadaisical performance will be all Envoi Allen needs in order to take advantage. 

A heartbreaking fall at Cheltenham cost Envoi Allen an end to his unbeaten career and a 12 straight win streak across all National Hunt spheres.

A bad mistake at the fourth left favourite backers red faced and Envoi Allen comes to Punchestown with something to prove, particularly up at a new distance, and despite having 5 grade one success’ to his name. (1 G1 Chase, 3 G1 hurdles, 1 G1 NHF).

Envoi Allen is untried over 3 miles, however has shaped like it is sure to suit based on the manner by which he has kept on and finished his races.

The new trip can unlock further improvement from the runner and last times distraught jock, Jack Kennedy, has now been replaced by Rachel Blackmore who further ignites the novice rivalry as she competes with her opposite number, Paul Townend, for the Irish jumps jockey championships in the final week of the season.

Envoi Allen is one from one at Punchestown and handles all varying ground conditions. He has also now had a longer period in training with Henry De Bromhead since his switch from Gordon Elliott just a couple weeks prior to the

Cheltenham festival and this may further boost his chances now hes become acclimatised to a new yard environment.

Should he jump fluently and take well to his new distance, he will be back to his best and all the more difficult to contain. 

Colreevy, much like Envoi Allen, is untried over three miles and today makes the step up to the longer trip. She’s unbeaten this season with 4 wins on the bounce and has a Grade One and two Grade Two success’ under her belt.

She receives a mares allowance for taking on the boys here whilst also being unbeaten at Punchestown, boasting a record of three from three at the track (2 NHF, 1 Chase).

Despite this, she has a tough ask ahead of her taking on the top two in the market and usual jock Paul Townend unsaddles to ride the much preferred favourite. 

At six years old, Franco De Port is the youngest horse in the race and does boast Grade One chasing success at Leopardstown.

He was disappointing at the Cheltenham festival however, racing over the minimum two mile trip and finishing last of five, 39 lengths behind the eventual winner Shishkin.

He was better last time out at Fairyhouse when a four length second in a Grade One contest, however he is another unproven over the three mile trip and will need to take a huge step forward in order to trouble the top two in the market.